ELvl Encoding Level

Bytes

ALL: Leader/17

Input Standards

ALL: Mandatory. One-character code. Default:

Definition

All formats

The degree of completeness of the machine-readable (MARC) record.

Codes

The Library of Congress (LC), National Library of Medicine (NLM), the British Library (BL), National Library of Canada (NLC), National Library of Australia (NLA) and National Serials Data Program (NSDP) use blank and numeric codes. Libraries participating in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging use blank and numeric codes when entering BIBCO or CONSER records (i.e., those containing an authentication code in field 042). All other OCLC participants cataloging online enter records at I for Full-level, 4 for Core-level and K for Minimal-level.

The following list identifies and defines the types of codes found in WorldCat records that are entered through online input or through a batch process. For more information on input of Full-, Core-, Minimal- and Abbreviated-level cataloging, see section 2.4, "Full, Core, Minimal and Abbreviated-Level Cataloging."

Full-level. The most complete MARC record. The record's information is derived from a physical inspection of the item. Code blank is used by authorized national bibliographic agencies and libraries participating in PCC (BIBCO and CONSER). BIBCO and CONSER records will contain an authentication code in field 042.

All other OCLC participants cataloging online at Full-level, use I.

Full-level, material not examined. The next-most-complete MARC record after the Full-level. The record's information is derived from an existing description of the material (e.g., a printed catalog card). All the information as found on the existing description is input. The physical item is not reinspected.

Code 1 is used primarily in the retrospective conversion of records.

Less-than-full level, material not examined. A record between Minimal-level and Full-level cataloging. The record's information is derived from an existing description of the material (e.g., a printed catalog card). The physical item is not reinspected. All of the descriptive access points are transcribed. The authoritative headings may not be current. Code 2 is used, for example, when only a subset of data elements is transcribed from a catalog card during a retrospective conversion to the MARC format.

Code 2 is used only by the Library of Congress.

3	Abbreviated level. A brief record that does not meet Minimal-level cataloging specifications. Headings in the record may reflect established forms to the extent that such forms are available at the time the record was created. Code 3 is used for defined projects.

Core-level. A record that is less-than-full, but greater-than-minimal-level cataloging and that meets core record standards for completeness. Any OCLC participant may enter a Core-level record as long as Core-level input standards are followed. A Core-level record that is entered by a library participating in PCC through BIBCO or CONSER will contain an authentication code in field 042.

5	Partial (preliminary) level. A record in process. Such a record is not final. You cannot make assumptions about the status of the headings or the descriptive cataloging level.

Minimal-level. A record that meets the National Level Bibliographic Record specifications. The creating agency considers such a record final. Headings are checked against an authority file and reflect established forms to the extent that such forms are available at the time the Minimal-level record was created.

OCLC participants cataloging online at Minimal-level, use K.

8	Prepublication level. A prepublication-level record. This includes a record created through the Cataloging-in-Publication (CIP) program and the National Serials Data Program.

I	Full-level input by OCLC participants. A record that conforms to OCLC's level I input standard. The level I input standard represents full cataloging. Use level I when transcribing LC or NLM copy.

K	Less-than-full input by OCLC participants. A record that conforms to OCLC's level K input standard. The level K input standard represents less-than-full cataloging.

L	Full-level input added from a batch process. A full-level record batchloaded from an institution other than LC, NLM, BL, NLC or NLA.

M	Less-than-full added from a batch process. A less-than-full record batchloaded from institutions other than LC, NLM, BL, NLC or NLA.

System-identified MARC error in batchloaded record. The system assigns code E to indicate that a machine-detected MARC error(s) was found in the bibliographic record during the batchloading. These system-detected errors are often obvious (e.g., an illegal tag, invalid subfield codes, etc.). Use E-level records to Produce cards or Update holdings. However, you cannot change code E. Before using an E-level record, correct any errors apparent in the record. OCLC reviews and corrects these records. Corrected records have the appropriate ELvl.

J	Deleted record. The record has been deleted by the institution which created it. The code is used only for special cases of batchloaded records for selected files, such as national libraries (LC, NLM, BL, etc.) and some files loaded as resources for cataloging (NetFirst, Puvill, etc.)